Tests and diagnosis

Your doctor is likely to start with a thorough medical history and physical examination. The exam generally includes listening for a swooshing sound (bruit) over the carotid artery in your neck, a sound that's characteristic of a narrowed artery. Your doctor may then test your physical and mental capabilities such as strength, memory and speech.

After that, your doctor may recommend:

Ultrasound, to assess blood flow and pressure in the carotid arteries.

CT or MRI, to look for evidence of stroke or other abnormalities.

CT angiography or MR angiography, which provides additional images of blood flow in the carotid arteries. A contrast dye is injected into a blood vessel, and a CT scan or MRI gathers images of your neck and brain.

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